Fruits de Mer Records (intro 11)
Pete Bingham of Welsh psych rockers Sendelica died on the 19th of May 2026 after a brief battle with aggressive cancer. He had long suffered from heart problems but this sort of came as a surprise although friends and fans knew that he had been in hospital for quite a long time. Pete was big part of Fruits de Mer Records history being the main organizer of the label’s annual festival held in his home Cardigan in Wales. Sendelica was also one of the first bands to work with the label and released a large quantity of singles, compilation tracks and albums on Fruits de Mer during the years. He was also a good friend of mine and me met several times in real life too when I organized gigs for Sendelica in Finland and traveled to the UK. The last time we saw each other was in Cardigan during the last Fruits de Mer Festival there in Summer 2024. Even though he was tired and busy, he still wanted to show me some of his favourite places and best fish and ships restaurant in town also inviting me to his home for a cup of tee. That gives a little impression of how good a friend and human being he was. I’m happy and proud that he was my friend. I’m glad he also had time to take part in several of my Astral Magic albums as well as asked me to join in on many Sendelica albums. Such a great guy and musician.
This 4CD-R compilation was put together while Pete was on a sick bed. It is a perfect testament to Pete and the music of Sendelica and also a good way to get introduced to the band for the first time. Together with other very nice and cool guys Glenda (bass), Colin (synths, programming, beats etc.) Lee (sax) and Jack (drums) and some occasional quests and collaborators they made some of the best psych/kraut/space rock music in the modern times. The first disc is filled with covers they released on FdM, usually with guest singers. Great, great stuff. Discs two and three include tracks from their albums (even two from the first EP that I don’t even have!), demos and unreleased remixes. Very interesting stuff. The third disc is dedicated to their live stuff recorded at various FdM related events (Crabstock and Sardonicus festivals) and is a great way to end this compilation. Although Sendelica made lots of amazing recordings it’s their live shows that they are most known and remembered for.
I don’t know if there are any plans to release more Sendelica stuff in the future, but if not, this massive compilation will be an excellent testament to their legacy. Long live Sendelica.
www.fruitsdemerrecords.com/sendelicaintro.html
sendelica.bandcamp.com/
